Gemini & Scorpio: Masquerade Macabre

|Caryn Waechter

To kick off a series of “slow-cooked conversations” at Hill Country BBQ and Market, the tables will turn on NBC’s “Late Night” host, Seth Meyers. There’s no mention of whether or not the ex-SNL “Weekend Update” anchor will be interviewed while eating a rack of ribs, but if anyone could pull off the ultimate never-let-them-watch-you-eat-it food, it’s a talk show host. Space is limited, so make sure to RSVP.

Celebrate the Garment District’s rich art scene with tons of open studios, installations, talks and more. Stop by the Broadway Boulevard Plazas for “practical consultations and unusual performances” by Nonsense NYC. We have no idea what that means, but we are intrigued!

Cross “The Price Is Right” with a rock concert, and you get some idea of the Rebel Bingo concept. The event has moved out of the London church halls where it was born onto dance floors across the world with performers, DJs, glitter cannons – and some interesting prizes. As their motto says: “Play hard. Win Big. And don’t bring your Grandma.”

Halloween is coming and if there’s any way to spook yourself into the holiday spirit it’s probably catching a midnight screening of this Dario Argento cult classic. A ballet dancer enters the German Tans Academy only to learn it is under the control of a coven of witches. Mysterious murders ensue to an intense soundtrack by Goblin.

You have two options here: Do the 5K daytime Zombie Run either as a human being chased down by the ravenous brain-starved undead, or receive a movie-quality zombie makeover and join the more than 700 zombies doing the chasing.

Do the only dance that a zombie can. Don your best undead garb, get your makeup done and learn the moves to “Thriller,” then get ready to move your body for zombie dance competitions, raffles, pictures, giveaways and an afterparty at Ruby’s Bar & Grill.

The Afro-beat, jazz and funk instrumentalists celebrate the release of their first album in four years, the heavy metal and psychedelic-tinged “Burnt Offerings.” The combination of Black Sabbath-esque riffs and the band’s trademark blasts of brass and deep grooves is guaranteed to get you moving. Just be careful you don’t sell your soul in the process.

Live music, circus arts and a celebration of all things extravagantly macabre. Costumes are required – think evil funhouse, steampunk, Jan Svankmaier & Brothers Quay films, “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” etc. – to indulge in the live music, dancing, fortune-telling, absinthe and mind-altering cocktails by The House of St. Eve.

The post-Sonic Youth life may have seemed like it was going to be full of loss and sadness, but instead the former members keep delivering new albums, new bands and even new books! Thurston Moore has put together a new group with ex-Sonic drummer Steve Shelley, and they’re going to be performing tracks from their upcoming album "The Best Day." See it before they break up, too.

Nothing says you’re eating like a king more than salami and scotch whisky, so make like King Arthur, pull Excalibur from the stone and ready thy appetite. Spirits from Compass Box Whisky Co. and cured meats by Stinky Bklyn.

Whisky shouldn’t always be that brown shot of liquid that gets you hammered alongside a beer during happy hour for a whopping $6. It should be savored and understood. It’s one of the more refined spirits, varying in taste from a spicy rye to a smoky scotch to a sweet bourbon, and here’s your chance to taste from a selection of 300 whiskies from around the world. Experts will hold seminars and tasting sessions.

Taking the notion of dinner-and-a-movie to a new level, this is a one-stop date night – or solo trip, no shame in that! Watch food films and eat the food you see. Michelin-starred chefs,food-themed burlesque, beer, a costume contest and doughnuts all add up to an event you don’t want to miss.